File-compressor.



E. OHNSTRAND.

FILE UOMPRESSOR.

APPLIOATION FILED APR.24, 190s.

Patented Aug. 20, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

E. OHNSTRAND.

FILE COMPRESSOR.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24, 190B,

Patented Aug. 20, 1912.

um/"toe 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ENOCI-I OHNSTRAND, OF JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK.

FILE-COMPRESSOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 29, 1912.

Application filed April 24, 1908. Serial No. 428,915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ENooH OHNSTRAND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jamestown, county of Chautauqua, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful File-Compressor, of which the following, taken in connect-ion with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to file compressors for drawers, and the objectof my improvement is to provide a file compressor which is simple and durable in construction, positive in action, and especially applicable to sheet metal drawers, though the application of the same to wooden drawers would not depart from my invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the drawer, showing the file compressor in an unlocked position; and Fig. 2 is a rear end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the end of the looking bar showing its attachment to the drawer side; and Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the same showing the bar in the locking position. Fig. 5 is a detail of the end of the locking bar and spring, the handle being shown in dotted outline. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the handle for operating the file compressor. Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the drawer edge and compressor guide.

Similar numerals refer to corresponding parts in the several views.

The numeral 10 indicates the drawer for a bill or card file, preferably made of sheet metal. The only portions of drawer 10 which I change are the sides; the upper edges of which are made rigid by means of the turned over edges 11. The side 12 of the drawer 10 is extended up and turned and the strip 11 is preferably attached thereto by being slipped onto the turned edge and riveted at the front and rear ends of the drawer. This makes the drawer edge stiff yet light so that it cannot give or buckle when pushed back and forth and hence greatly improves its construction.

The file compressor consists of the partition 13, which is attached at each'side to a guide strip 14, slidably mounted on the turned edge 11. Guide 14 has the upwardly extending lug 15 to which partition 13 is attached by means of suitable rivets. The compressor 13 is usually placed at a given angle and secured to lugs 15 by rivets through holes in lug 15. For certain purposes, however, it is desirable to adjust the compressor 13 to different angles. This is accomplished by means of a slot 16 in lug l5, and compressor 13 is attached thereto by means of a suitable thumb screw. Guide 14 is formed with an enlargement 17 on its upper side, the apex of the circle being given an added projection 18 to keep therein the elliptical end 19 of a cross bar 20. A handle. or lever 21 is attached about midway of the length of rod 20 for operating the same.

It is apparent that the cam-shaped or elliptical ends 19 will cause the housing 17 to bind on projecting edge 11 when rod 20 is turned so as to bring the largest diameter of ends 19 against the housing and the top of the edges 11 of the drawer. It is also apparent that when the rod 20 is turned so that the least diameter of ends 19 is placed between said housing and drawer edge, the parts are unlocked and the guides 14 and compressor 13 are at liberty to slide back and forth freely on the edges 11.

In order that the locking pressure of the cam-shaped end 19 may not indent the edge 11 of the drawer and also in order that a broader surface ma be given to slide end 19 and guide 14 back and forth upon, a leaf spring 22, provided with upturned ends, is placed beneath end 19, and being bowed upwardly at the center rides upon its outer ends. This spring forms a broad binding surface for the cam-shaped ends 19 when turned to the locking position, and causes the guides to slide back and forth freely and preserves the surface of the edge of the drawer.

It is apparent that the handle 21 and rod 20 may be turned either upward or downward to turn to the locking position, it being only necessary to turn handle 21 upward or downward against the compressor 13 to firmly lock the compressor 13 in position. Handle 21 might be turned to any other position to lock the compressor, but it is most convenient to lock in this upward or downward position and to unlock with the handle in the horizontal position, so that the com pressor may be slid backward or forward by means of handle 21. Handle 21 is made broad at the point of its attachment to rod 20 in order that it may draw evenly upon the guides 14 at each end of the rod.

It is obvious that the adjustable attachment of the file compressor to the sides of the drawer leaves the inside of the drawer without obstructions, a very desirable feature for card files and vertical bill files.

I claim as new 1. In a cabinet file, a drawer having lateral sides with turned edges, housings eX- tending around said turned edges and slidably mounted thereon, an enlargement in the upper side of said housings, a cross bar, elliptically shaped ends on said cross bar extending within said enlargement in each compressor attached to said housings, a

crosswise bar revolubly mounted in said housings having elliptically shaped ends, spring shoes for said elliptical ends slidably mounted on said turned edges, and means for turning said bar.

3. In a cabinet file, a drawer having lateral sides with turned edges, housings slidably mounted on said turned edges, a drawer compressor attached to said housings, a crosswise bar revolubly mounted in said housings having cam-shaped ends, spring shoes for said cam-shaped ends having upturned ends within said housings to hold them in line, and a rearwardly extending lever on said bar to turn the same.

1. I11 a cabinet file, a drawer .10, having tubular lateral edges 11, tubular guides 14 slidably mounted on said tubular edges, compressor 13 attached to said guides, a rod 20 having cam-shaped ends 19, said rods pivotally mounted in guides 14 to lock on said tubular edges, and spring shoes 22 for said cam ends, and a handle 21 attached to said rod, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ENOOH OHNSTRAND.

Witnesses:

I. A. ELLSWORTH, A. WV. KETTLE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

